BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha government has come up with a three-month tourism service provider (TSP) certification course, mandating it for tour operators who do not have any professional/trained staff to offer transport service to visitors in the state. The course will be provided to the staff of the tour operators, prior to grant of recognition to them as TSPs.
Issuing fresh guidelines for the TSPs recently under the new Odisha Tourism (Amendment) Policy-2026, the Tourism department said it will organise the TSP certification course in hybrid mode through IITTM, Bhubaneswar or any other institutions for all TSPs, including startups, green shoot and experience, after grant of a provisional recognition in case they do not have any trained staff.
The course, having a minimum duration of three months, will entail all nuances to handle inbound tourism-related aspects, such as ticketing, foreign exchange, accommodation booking, transportation logistics, guides arrangement, general English, guest PR, do’s and don’ts, safety and sanitation, adventure related guidelines and any other activity deemed fit to run the tourism business.
“Completion of this certification will be mandatory prior to grant of final recognition to the TSPs in the state,” the guidelines stated. It further clarified that the cost of training will be borne by the provisionally-recognised TSPs, while any other existing TSPs may also sponsor for getting their staff trained, if desired. The department has also formed an eight-member committee headed by Tourism director to review all the documents, including the certification forwarded by the district tourism development officer for further examination and necessary action.
The department has also laid some special conditions for the tourist transport operators, specifying that the applicant should have minimum two vehicles in case it is a startup, and four tourist vehicles in case it is an experienced operator.
The drivers of the tourist vehicles are also required to wear proper uniform and display identification during duty.